Tag Archives: divine simplicity

Review: Hilary of Poitiers

Posted on January 30, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Taken from NPNF (Second Series) vol 9. In reviewing St Hilary’s thought, I will be relying primarily on Geofrey Bromiley’s Historical Theology for clarification on more difficult points.    In no way can Hilary’s work be considered a literary masterpiece.  It is about … Continue reading →

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Outline of God, Revelation, Authority (vol 5)

Posted on May 8, 2017 by J. B. Aitken

By Carl F Henry. The first four volumes dealt with epistemology.  The final two deal with ontology and the doctrine of God. “God who stands” = personal sovereign containing in himself the ground of his own existence. “God who stays” … Continue reading →

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Review: Untamed God

Posted on April 18, 2017 by J. B. Aitken

This is a magnificently fine book.  Richards seeks to offer a robust defense of classical theism, yet he is sensitive to the challenges. He mostly succeeds. Thesis:  “Christians should affirm that God has an essence, which includes his perfections and … Continue reading →

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Notes on Shedd, part 1

Posted on November 14, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

From Shedd’s Dogmatic Theology. Prolegomena “If  all that can be said by the theologian respecting God is that he is not this or that, then the mind has in fact no object before it and no cognition whatever…The deity becomes the … Continue reading →

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The Scandal of the Incarnation

Posted on February 21, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

This is the most accessible treatment of Irenaeus’s works. Hans urs von Balthasar provides a fine introduction, discussion, and brief critique of Gnosticism–showing how Irenaeus’s theology is relevant today. Further, von Balthasar provides a matrix for interpreting St Irenaeus (von … Continue reading →

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Analytical Outline of Barth Bio

Posted on December 6, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

Realdialektik: a dialectic in real relations (McCormack 9). Part of this book’s thesis is the overturning of Hans urs von Balthalsar’s claim that Barth rejected liberalism in favor of “analogy.” McCormack argues that Barth’s use of the en/anhypostatic distinction played … Continue reading →

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Does Foreknowledge Change Anything?

Posted on October 14, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

One of the common rebuttals to Calvinism is the claim that predestination = God’s foreknowing our future decision(s) to choose or not choose him.  It’s an attractive position.  It allows human dignity and responsibility yet also posits a timeless God. … Continue reading →

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